'Ah, there you are Miss Granger, I have been looking for you everywhere.' Said a relived Professor McGonagall as she neared Hagrid, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who were having a snowball fight near Hagrid's hut. 'Will you four be kind enough to follow me, please.'
'Yes professor,' they all mumbled. Saying goodbye to Hagrid, they followed her across the lawn and up the stone steps and into the entrance hall.
McGonagall lead them into the nearest empty classroom and closed the door behind them. 'Miss Granger you might want to sit down for this,' she said and she pulled out a chair for her.
'Why? what's wrong?,' Hermione asked innocently.
'W…well,' McGonagall stammered teary-eyed, her carefully placed composure slipping. 'Hermione, dear, remember we are all here for you, but your parents were…were…killed.' The last word was almost inaudible but it echoed round the silent room. After she had a better hold on her emotions she continued. 'The dark mark was found above their house at mid-night last night, I'm so, so s..sorry,' her lip trembled as she said this.
'Damn those Death Eaters!' Harry shouted in anger.
'No….' Hermione screamed. Before anyone could stop her, she bolted out of the room and into the castle grounds, tears streaming, unchecked, down her face. As she ran, she collided with a solid wall of chest. Malfoy stood looking at her in confusion. The next moment Hermione was hitting his chest in rage with her small balled fists, screaming something awful. He let the anger pass, then pulled her close and let her cry her heart out on his shoulder. He walked her back into the castle where McGonagall and the others were waiting with trepidation. Back in the classroom, he sat her on a chair, but didn't let go of her.
'It's alright Hermione,' he said. Then he whispered in her ear so only she heard, 'no-one's going to hurt you ever again, not while I'm around to hold you.'
'Miss Granger, this was found in your mothers pocket,' said Professor McGonagall, handing her an envelope with Hermione's name on it, written in her mothers hand.
With shaking hands, she opened the envelope and read the letter's contents.
To our dearest girl,
We knew from what you have told us, that we might be in danger.
If you are reading this, then we are no longer with you in the physical sense.
But we will always be with you and if you need us just close your eyes and we'll be there.
Your our pride and joy, whatever you do or say, we will always love you, never forget that.
Your loving parents,
Mum and Dad.
P.S. Sing this to your many children and be happy, as I sing this one last time. So long my darling girl.
Be brave little one.
Make a wish for each sad little tear.
Hold your head up though no one is near
Someone's waiting for you.
Don't cry little one.
There'll be a smile where a frown use to be
You'll be part of the love that you see.
Someone's waiting for you.
Always keep a little prayer in your pocket
and you're sure to see the light.
Soon there'll be joy and happiness
and your little world will be bright
Have faith little one
'Til your hopes and your wishes come true.
You must try to be brave little one.
Someone's waiting to love you
She finished reading with new tears in her shining eyes, Draco noticed them, kneeling down, he gently wiped them away.
'There is someone to love you Hermione,' he said throwing caution to the winds.
'Who?' she asked, hoping against hope that she wasn't dreaming.
'Me' he answered, shyly.
'Oh, Draco. I love you t….' but she never finished, for he had captured her lips in a kiss that was all too brief for her liking, but filled with promise of more to come.
'About time,' Harry laughed and they all cheered.